Assassination Is Assassination

GUSH SHALOM - pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033 - http://www.gush-shalom.org/

Today Israeli society is in shock because of the murder of its Minister of Tourism Reha'am Ze'evi. Never before was it more clear than now that even a leader of a relatively small extremist group becomes a national hero and martyr when he is assassinated.

We ourselves have a long history of firmly opposing Ze'evi, who advocated emptying the occupied territories from all their Palestinian population by way of "transfer". And we would have been happy had he been sent home by the voters. But we very much condemn this assassination which was claimed by "The Popular Front" and was said to be a revenge for that other assassination, in August, carried out by Israel - which we also very much condemned - the assassination of the Popular Front leader Abu Ali Mustafa.

If only this round of revenge does not lead to counter revenge (which itself could again lead to counter-counter revenge)... but it is possibly too much to be expected from this government to draw the conclusion that assassinations are just not it, and that we better continue to move towards calm and renewed negotiations.

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With until November several of our central activists abroad for speaking tours this list will be maintained a bit low-key. (Those who take over have to do it on top of their other tasks for Gush Shalom - not to mention that their jobs and families take a bit of their time, too, sometimes.)

For additional information about actions and positions of Gush Shalom you can visit our website which will continue to be weekly updated. And we also invite you to visit the website of The Other Israel (English-language peace newsletter) founded and maintained by a crew known to you since all of them are members of Gush Shalom. The new issue (October 2001, issue nr 100) is just out, with the lead article "Stonewalling" giving a thorough analysis where the Sharon government is heading in the international situation created after September 11. Selected articles will appear soon on site http://other_Israel.tripod.com/. (Right now you will find there a selection of what appeared in the earlier one.) If you never saw the newsletter in print you can order a free sample, by sending your name and postal address to otherisr@actcom.co.il. N.B.: free sample requests should be made until November 10 - which is the date that they will be sent. Please write "free sample" in the subject line. Gush Infoteam ---

NB: October 10-27 Uri Avnery will be in the US for a 5-city tour speaking tour Data and contact addresses: Boston: October 10 -- 14; contact: Hilda B. Silverman; ph 617-661-7490; hildasil@email.msn.com [it was very successful we heard, with packed halls during all meetings].

Chicago: October 14 -- 17; contact: Steven Feuerstein; ph 773-454-8397; fx 773- 262-8138; steven@stevenfeuerstein.com

Philadelphia: October 17 - 19; contact: Kathy Bergen, American Friends Service Committee; ph 215-241-7019; kbergen@afsc.org

New York City: October 19 - 22; contact: Scott Kennedy, Resource Center for Nonviolence; ph (831) 457 - 8003 / fx (831) 423 - 8716, kenncruz@pacbell.net or: Allan Solomonow, American Friends Service Committee; ph (415) 565 - 0201 x 26; asolomonow@afsc.org or: Ben Remple, Middle East Program, Fellowship of Reconciliation; ph (845) 358 -4601 / 4775; or: Jewish Peace Fellowship (Joyce); ph (845) 358 -4601 / 4775; jpf@forusa.org

Washington, D.C.: October 22 - 27; contact: Josh Ruebner, Executive Director, Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI); office ph: 202-423-7666; home ph/fx: 703-685-7666; josh@jppi.org / jruebner@hotmail.com; http://www.jppi.org; or: Helena Cobban; hcobban@aol.com

Adam Keller in the UK

Manchester: Oct. 19-21; contact: Clem Herman ; ph 0161 881 9076, mobile 07876 205637;

London: Oct. 27-29; contact: Tirza Waisel ; ph 07957-486 379

If you want to support our activities you can send a check or cash, wrapped well in an extra piece of paper, to: Gush Shalom pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033. NB!: Don't do it via New Israel Fund. (They "had to" drop us.)

For more about Gush Shalom you are invited to visit our renewed website: http://www.gush-shalom.org/

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